Your post-natal health

It is normal to for your emotions to be up and down a bit after the birth of your baby. It is important to take each day one day at a time and enjoy getting to know your new baby.

In the first week after your baby is born you may experience a range of emotions. From the happiness of finally having your new baby, to suddenly feeling miserable and crying. This is known as the “baby blues”. These feelings may last for a few hours to a few days. If the feelings of sadness do not subside then it is important to speak with your MCHN or your family doctor.

The weeks following your baby’s birth are indeed a period of transition. Everyone in the family is adjusting to the changes that having a new family member brings. It can involve a mixture of emotions for all family members. Although parents will say that they knew the baby would bring changes they do say that they did not expect the changes to be so great. In the early weeks it is likely that you may feel tired, sometimes frazzled and even concerned that you may not be able to fit in a shower on that particular day.

Being at home with your new baby can be lonely

Many women find being at home with their new baby a time of adjustment and at times lonely. This can be especially so when the women has worked outside of the family home or friends are either at work or do not live nearby. Just getting out of the house can be challenging.

Ways to help

• Have your nappy bag packed so that you only have to add a few extra things when you are planning to leave the house
• Join a mothers group. Your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will introduce all first time mothers to a group of other mothers with babies of similar age to your baby. It is helpful to share experiences and ideas about parenting with to avoid feeling isolated and alone
• Spend time with friends and family

When leaving home makes you feel anxious

It is normal to feel tired and unwell. it is normal to not wish to leave your home. However if leaving your home makes you feel panicky or anxious them it is advisable to speak to family, a friend, your Maternal Child Health Nurse or your family doctor. These feelings may be a sign of depression.

Depression after birth (post-natal depression)

About one in 6-7 women experience depression in the year after birth. Commonly depressed feelings start in the early months; however they can start much later. Some women may not be depressed however they can feel emotionally low and distressed for varying lengths of time. These feelings are not the same as the “baby blues”. Baby blues is a name given to a common experience of being weepy and having mood swings for a brief period of time during the first few days after birth.

Postnatal depression is also very different to another condition known as Puerperal Psychosis. This is a rare and serious psychiatric illness which begins soon after birth and causes the woman to lose touch with reality, become confused and will require hospitalisation for treatment. 

If you find that you are having thoughts about harming yourself or the baby, it is very important to consult your doctor.

When you consult your doctor about your own health

• Ask for a long appointment
• Write down your problems so that you do not get distracted and forget what you wanted to say
• Write down your questions
• Ask the most important questions first so that you do not run out of time
• Try to be accurate and honest. Don’t trivialise your problems
• If you are seeing a new doctor take the time to get to know the doctor first and if you are not comfortable then seek another doctor

Your emotional health

It is normal to for your emotions to be up and down a bit after the birth of your baby. It is important to take each day one day at a time and enjoy getting to know your new baby.

In the first week after your baby is born you may experience a range of emotions. From the happiness of finally having your new baby, to suddenly feeling miserable and crying. This is known as the “baby blues”. These feelings may last for a few hours to a few days. If the feelings of sadness do not subside then it is important to speak with your MCHN or your family doctor.

The weeks following your baby’s birth are indeed a period of transition. Everyone in the family is adjusting to the changes that having a new family member brings. It can involve a mixture of emotions for all family members. Although parents will say that they knew the baby would bring changes they do say that they did not expect the changes to be so great. In the early weeks it is likely that you may feel tired, sometimes frazzled and even concerned that you may not be able to fit in a shower on that particular day.